TOPSAIL BEACH — Tim Zizack, the current mayor pro team on the Topsail Beach Board of Commissioners, is running again to secure his seat.
Zizack said he seeks re-election because he brings experience to the table, having collaborated with four mayors, six elected commissioner, four appointed commissioner and three town managers over eight years.
“I’ve been consistent in promoting factual transparency, financial responsibility and public trust,” Zizack said, pointing to events like Coffee with the Commissioner and his social media platform to keep constituents abreast of what’s happening.
Zizack added he also has established strong relationships with people at “all levels of local, county and state government.”
Though the commissioner race is nonpartisan, Zizack is affiliated with the Democratic party. Three seats are open, and he will face off against incumbents John Best (R) and Nancy Thomason (R), as well as challenger Alex Arab (R).
Port City Daily asked all candidates a slate of questions about topics that are tracking high with voters and residents currently. Zizack’s answers have been edited only for clarity.
A few things to consider this election season:
- A valid ID is required to cast ballot in North Carolina
- Election Day is Nov. 4, 2025, with voters required to go to their assigned precinct locations
- Early voting opens Oct. 16 and closes Nov. 1, and voters can register and cast a ballot at the Cooperative Extension Auditorium, 801 S Walker St., or Surf City Community Center Gym, 201 Community Center Dr. Click here for hours.
The paywall has been dropped on candidate profiles to help voters make informed decisions ahead of the election. Candidate opinions and statements are not a reflection of Port City Daily.
Port City Daily: The Beach, Inlet, and Sound fund is a large part of Topsail Beach’s budget for covering coastal projects. Given the long-term nature of these efforts, what is your strategy for ensuring the fund’s sustainability, and what measures would you support to enhance the town’s coastal resilience?
Tim Zizack: My number-one short-term priority is to increase this fund. continue our commitment to our current budget funding resources, expand our paid parking to increase additional funding, continue to support our local long-term 30-year beach management plan.
PCD: What is your vision for managing future growth? What specific actions would you support to ensure new projects align with the quality of life and values that are important to Topsail Beach residents?
TZ: We need to adapt our current plans to ensure we maintain our town character. Collaborating with Pender County and other shared resources will assist in developing the best plan. Managing growth requires addressing short- and long-term goals and continuing to monitor, evaluate and adjust.
PCD: The Topsail Beach Board of Commissioners recently approved a 20% tax-rate increase to fund the general fund and coastal initiatives. With the county-wide property revaluation looming, what is your philosophy on fiscal responsibility for a municipality? What specific strategies would you implement to ensure the town’s long-term financial health and sustainability?
TZ: I did not vote for the current budget. We had unassigned funds that could have been transferred to eliminate the tax increase. The revaluation will reduce next year’s tax rate including removing this year’s increase.
I also did not agree with eliminating the new firefighter position. I will never vote not to add to our community’s safety for police or fire department. This year’s tax increase was unnecessary.
PCD: The town’s proposed public safety building has been a significant point of contention for residents and officials, with an ongoing debate over its necessity, size, and cost. Where do you stand on the project’s current plans, and what do you believe is the most fiscally responsible way to meet the needs of the town’s police and fire departments?
TZ: Physical responsibility is managing within a budget. There is no reason to add to the tax rate after receiving a generous amount of funding. Our new residential building growth is very limited. I proposed a plan to consider repurposing our current facilities that was not considered. There is no plan for the current facilities. The planned property loan has not been discussed and should be paid off with the funds received. Many safety industry professionals and I believe that the fire service and police department should not have a shared building. The future of the national transition of fire department to shared services has not been considered.
PCD: The town is currently assessing its stormwater infrastructure to address street flooding and drainage issues. What is your top infrastructure priority for Topsail Beach, and how would you propose to fund and manage these improvements?
TZ: Stormwater flooding is my priority. Any infrastructure project requires phased planning, including prioritizing, planning and creating funding resources. We should evaluate and consider other communities who have successfully addressed similar infrastructure challenges.
PCD: What is one other issue not discussed above that you have a plan to address if elected and how would you do so?
TZ: Develop a phased plan for a multiuse path connecting Surf City and NC Mountain-to-Sea Trail. Our active society continues to require evaluation of the safety of our citizens and visitors.
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